Porsche Developing a 918-Based 984 Four-Door

Porsche is planning a platform mate for its plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder. Called the 984, it will be based on an elongated version of the 918’s chassis, making it a 2+2 four-door. The 984 would drop all the 918’s electric-powered bits and leave the dry-sump 4.6L V8 to do all the work powering the rear wheels.

This is a project far beyond the “napkin sketch” stage. Porsche head designer, Michael Mauer and his team have already built a 984 concept car.

Automobile Magazine reports the low-slung four-door Porsche would channel 700 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque through Porsche’s seven-speed PDK. The 984 would only cost about $467,000 … a drop in the bucket compared to the 918 Spyder’s $845,000.

In other news, Porsche is no longer planning a two-door version of the Panamera. The two-door and four-door Pajuns have been put back on the shelf, too. Can you hear the sound of rain falling? It’s really the sound of 928 fans’ tears hitting the tarmac. Automobile says Porsche’s proposed, but now shelved models were stepping on the toes of other Volkswagen Group brands.

If familial competition is deterring VAG companies from making the best cars they can, how can VW Group be the best automaker it can be?

via [Automobile]